Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

With the weight of the front wheel, I have play in the head stock which so can’t seem to adjust out. My bike is configured as shown in pic. I assume I release the lock but then tighten the lower nut, which I have tried.

If this is the correct way?, then clearly I will have to strip it down and investigate further.

As always, comments and suggestion appreciated.

Steve W

Did you slacken the top yoke clamp? There's a 3/8" CEI bolt behind the headstock.

Yes, I removed it to make sure.

I am wondering if the ball races are shot!

Does the cap on the top unscrew ?

stevewhitt wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 3:08 pm Does the cap on the top unscrew ?

I don’t think so, AFAIK it’s an interference fit but it doesn’t need to come out.

Are you 100% sure the play is in the headstock and not in the girder bushes? Two fingers behind the headstock and move the bike forward against the brake or something solid? If it is, it’s going to have to come apart for a look…

Sorry if I’m teaching granny to suck eggs. Does everyone know that phrase these days?

Thanks Simon. It is definitely in the head stock, so it will have to come apart, but not now, to many summer runs to be had

I've just adjusted mine, after 2500 miles riding with it a bit loose.

Enjoy the summer!

Sometimes the inner top race will become loose on the headstock spindle. Nev